Did anybody here went through MPD's Primary program? Please give some insights please! Getting out of Army soon, and thinking of attending MPD! I know it costs a lot of money, and I know most people don't like Mesa airlines, but how's the program? I'm thinking of going to ASU's flight program with Mesa airlines! Thank you!

Are you a chopper pilot in the Army?

No, I'm a helicopter Crew chief on the Apache! Thought about becoming an army pilot, but I have to stay 6 more years after flight school. Too long!

That's cool!

MAPD is a good program that performs as advertised...it places a very high percentage of students at mesa...something like 80% of those who start the program, and 90% of those who complete the program.

However, with that being said...

1) It is a lot of money for a commercial w/o a CFI.
2) If you fail out, you are screwed (nobody else will hire you).
3) If you fail the interview, you are screwed
4) If you fail mesa training, you are screwed.
5) If mesa stops hiring you are scewed.
6) Mesa has always been an absolutely horrible place to work.
7) Mesa has taken a dramatic turn for the worse this year.
8) MAPD enrollment is down significantly (see # 7)
9) MAPD graduates are generally looked down on in the industry. Do some reading on the internet about low-time, pay-for-training airline pilots.
10) Mesa might be losing some Delta flying this year (see #5 & 8)
11) Lack of CFI experience will NOT help you in this industry.

As an ex-military guy myself, I know where you are coming from. The idea of a quick, structured program that gets you right to where you want to be is very appealing. Unfortunately I can essentially guarantee Mesa is NOT where you want to be. I quit in disgust (fortunately for a better flying job), but I know of many Mesa pilots who just leave the industry after suffering years of abuse. Based on my seniority movement in my last year, very, very few mesa captains were getting hired by major airlines, maybe 2-3 per month...that's not a pretty picture for a 1900+ pilots.

Do some reading on the internet...your best career move will be to get your ratings (COMM/CFI/CFII/MEI) and work as an instructor for a year or so...regionals are hiring CFI's with less than 1000 TT right now. This requires some initiative, and your career will not be served up to you on a platter, but you will meet a lot of people doing it. Every job I have ever had in aviation was because of someone I knew...there really is NO other way in this industry. Good Luck

As always 777s words are on the mark...

http://www.atpflightschool.com/


They have a solid program. The company has an good rep. Just take their PPL and 90 day program - you don't , IMHO, need the other stuff.

I you havent put money away, I recommend entending your enlistment and putting a good 1K+ away a month for the duration. It will help you pay down the loan. Ideally you want to have no debt , but it may not work out like that...

One last thing - IMHO, the GI BILL is better spent on a 4 year degree. If you already have one, use it for a MBA / Masters and a certification (like financial planning) rather than flight training...

Good luck,
LAFF